Somehow, Billy had managed to get lost. Regardless of whether or not his mother had raised him to a toddler in that very city, between his mediocre Italian and unfamiliarity with the area, Billy would cost himself a good fifteen minutes or so trying to figure out exactly where the Plaza di Capolinace was.
It was a lucky thing for him that his boyish face bore a rather guileless look-- his sincere brown eyes earned him some sympathy and manageable directions. The locals probably thought he was some silly tourist, with his blue jeans and obviously American look.
He arrived late, looking around as if searching for someone, still somewhat carrying the appearance of someone who was lost. It lasted only a moment though, as he was half-surprised to see a woman of exactly the description Mazikeen had given him. He hadn't honestly been sure what to expect, but she was certainly just that: the woman with the maskA hesitation, then he approached her, a part of him still telling himself that it was a bad idea while the other said that this
( ... )
Mazikeen spotted Billy the moment he appeared at the edge of the Plaza. With such a confused expression on his face and a decidedly New York taste in clothes, it was unmistakable. When she did, she decided it was best not make a move towards him; instead, she allowed him to approach at his own pace, a slight reluctance in his body language, a hint of skittishness in the way he came up to her. When he introduced himself, she extended a hand in greeting, allowing herself to smile. Up close and in person, it was so much easier to deal with people; and as she took stock of his boyish handsomeness and awkward foreignness, Mazikeen could already feel herself slipping into the skin of a person much more ingratiating than her true nature, someone she knew the boy would find mostly harmless. Someone she knew that the boy would trust.
"It's a pleasure to meet you in the flesh, Billy Kaplan," she said as warmly as she could manage. "Mazikeen. I hope this place didn't prove too difficult to find?"
Billy couldn't help but think that he had imagined as much more, well, mild looking person after their conversation online. Mazikeen was more on the mysterious side of things, a spectacle to behold with half her face covered by a mask. It reminded him of something he might have seen on Broadway, back in New York. But it was also harder to trust a person, when you could only see half their smile. Already, Billy had grown wary of the people here. But, he had a pact of secrecy with this woman, and despite the mask, she didn't seem like she meant him harm.
"No, I... I'm just not one-hundred percent familiar with the area yet. Sorry to keep you waiting," he answered, trying not to stare too much at the woman's mask. As a mutant and a New Yorker, he knew he ought to be more used to unusual things. "This is really important to me, so I appreciate your time."
"No cause for concern, I assure you," she replied with a small wave of her hand. "I work nearby so I haven't been waiting long, and besides a little fresh air never hurt anyone, yes
( ... )
Comments 19
It was a lucky thing for him that his boyish face bore a rather guileless look-- his sincere brown eyes earned him some sympathy and manageable directions. The locals probably thought he was some silly tourist, with his blue jeans and obviously American look.
He arrived late, looking around as if searching for someone, still somewhat carrying the appearance of someone who was lost. It lasted only a moment though, as he was half-surprised to see a woman of exactly the description Mazikeen had given him. He hadn't honestly been sure what to expect, but she was certainly just that: the woman with the maskA hesitation, then he approached her, a part of him still telling himself that it was a bad idea while the other said that this ( ... )
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"It's a pleasure to meet you in the flesh, Billy Kaplan," she said as warmly as she could manage. "Mazikeen. I hope this place didn't prove too difficult to find?"
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"No, I... I'm just not one-hundred percent familiar with the area yet. Sorry to keep you waiting," he answered, trying not to stare too much at the woman's mask. As a mutant and a New Yorker, he knew he ought to be more used to unusual things. "This is really important to me, so I appreciate your time."
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